Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Statement on Cook County Minimum Wage Hike
CHICAGO – The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement following Cook County’s decision to increase the minimum wage to mirror the City of Chicago’s minimum wage policy.
“The Chicagoland Chamber opposes a patchwork approach to setting a minimum wage because it places Cook County employers at a competitive disadvantage to employers in neighboring counties and states. In addition to a higher minimum wage, employers are also facing a costly paid sick leave mandate and a potential $150 million sweetened beverage tax. Each of these new mandates falls disproportionately hard on restaurants and retailers. It’s no wonder numerous municipalities within the county have already stated their desire to exempt themselves from this ordinance, which exacerbates the problem for those employers and employees inside Cook County dealing with the patchwork of rules and regulations,” said Theresa E. Mintle, president and CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,000 member companies, their 400,000 employees, and over $24 billion in revenue. We combine the power of our membership with our legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. We focus on delivering value for our members, making Chicagoland a world-class place to live and work. Visit ChicagolandChamber.org.